CQUniversity is sending 6 learning management students to Komatsu City in Japan for 3 months to undertake their teaching practicum.

The students will leave for Japan at the end of this week (September 27) and return just before Christmas.

Lindsay Beatson (left) and Dean Smith (right) are excited about their 3-month visit to Japan which has been organised by CQUniversity lecturer Taka Yokoyama (centre).

Lecturer and Program Coordinator in the Bachelor of Learning Management (Japanese) degree, Takahiro (Taka) Yokoyama said this was the 12^th year that students from CQUniversity have had the opportunity to live, learn and teach in Japan as part of their studies.

"This year I am sending not only Bachelor of Learning Management (Japanese) students, but also Bachelor of Learning Management (Primary) students to the Komatsu experience," Taka said.

Four of the students are from Rockhampton, while one is from Mackay and another is from Noosa.

Rockhampton student Lindsay Beatson said they were all very excited about the trip.

 "It is an amazing opportunity because we get the chance to experience teaching in an immersion situation while improving our language skills, living an authentic Japanese lifestyle," Lindsay explained.

"It is impossible to get experience of this kind without an in-country excursion. We are very lucky!"

Dean Smith (from Emu Park) said he couldn't wait for departure, although was a little nervous.

"It is going to be a really great experience and we all hope to learn a lot more about the language, teaching and the culture of the Japanese people."

The Komatsu experience hopes to prepare the student teachers for the future of Australian schooling where more students from non-English speaking backgrounds will attend our schools.

While the students are teaching in Japanese schools, they will also attend the Komatsu College University.

Students will be staying with Japanese host families, so they will be completely immersed in the country's culture.

The Komatsu experience is partly funded by the Department of Education, Science and Technology (DEST) and aims to provide opportunities for students to experience Japanese society as well as building up their teaching experience in Japan.

Taka said the Komatsu Board of Education also welcomes the Australian students' involvement because they are struggling to meet the new education ministry policy that ‘all primary schools MUST teach English'.